Hi. I have a Whirlpool direct drive washer (LSR7233EQ0) that makes a
noise on spin that sounds like "zzzzp, zzzzp, zzzzp", which gets
louder as it spins faster, then a loud "CLUNK", then it starts the
zzzp zzzzp noise again. The top of the agitator moves about a half-
inch side-to-side while it's spinning - i.e., the path of it's
spinning inscribes a circle about a half-inch larger in diameter than
it is (does that make sense)? If I physically hold the top of the
agitator, allowing it to spin, but not wobble, the noise all but
disappears (and there's no CLUNK every so often).

Sooooo, I think it's probably something in the tub's coupling to the
drive shaft, the drive block, perhaps? Does that sound like a likely
culprit?

I need the spanner tool to get the tub off, right? Is there any way
to substitute for that? I tired a hammer and stubby flat-blade
screwdriver, but it seems to be on there pretty tight. I hate to
spend $20 on a tool I'll likely only use once (anyone want to buy a
slightly used spanner tool?). At least it's still a whole lot cheaper
than paying someone else to do it for me!

If your washer has an auger on top of the agitator, and if the auger
is what is making noise, then changing the agitator dogs inside the
auger (under the cap or fabric softener dispenser, if present) will
probably quiet it down. No, you don't need the spanner tool for that
repair. Dog problems usually show up in agitation, not spin though.
In agatitation, the worn dogs will not grip the auger, so that you
won't get ratcheting action. I can't imagine noise coming from the
auger in spin though.

One test to try would be to remove the agitator and then put the
machine into spin mode. Does it make that noise you spoke of? I am
going to guess here, that this is a somewhat uncommon gearcase problem
with stripped gears inside. That's a wild guess. You would almost
have to look at the clutch to see what it is doing. When in spin, if
the clutch is making some wild jerking motions, then the gearcase
needs to be replaced. You don't need the spanner for this either.

On May 26, 8:36 pm, AE Todd wrote:
If yourwasherhas an auger on top of the agitator, and if the auger
is what is makingnoise, then changing the agitator dogs inside the
auger (under the cap or fabric softener dispenser, if present) will
probably quiet it down. No, you don't need the spanner tool for that
repair. Dog problems usually show up in agitation, notspinthough.
In agatitation, the worn dogs will not grip the auger, so that you
won't get ratcheting action. I can't imaginenoisecoming from the
auger inspinthough.

One test to try would be to remove the agitator and then put the
machine intospinmode. Does it make thatnoiseyou spoke of? I am
going to guess here, that this is a somewhat uncommon gearcase problem
with stripped gears inside. That's a wild guess. You would almost
have to look at the clutch to see what it is doing. When inspin, if
the clutch is making some wild jerking motions, then the gearcase
needs to be replaced. You don't need the spanner for this either.

I pulled the agitator off, and it still made that sound. When it's
spinning, I can grab the top of the agitator and stop it entirely, and
the tub continues spinning happily and quietly. I don't think it's a
problem with the agitator, but the fact that by doing that, I'm
keeping the tub spinning on a relatively stable axis. Letting it go,
the spinning axis vibrates around.